Wow.
My Bears looked horrible today, after decimating the Falcons last week. Watching the game, I find fault in several places, and I'm going to START with the FANS of Chicago. We here in Chicagoland are probably the harshest on our own players than any other city in America. Cutler could have thrown for 7 TDs with 3 picks and 6 sacks, and all the fans will focus on are the picks and sacks. While I was one who DID question his toughness last year in the playoffs, I now feel it's a mental toughness rather than a physical one. Just looking at him when he's on the sidelines, he's already resigned to being on the defensive, already doubting himself and his teammates. Then you watch him in the pocket, and you can see plain as day that he does not have any faith in his Offensive Line. He hurries his plays because he's tired of being knocked down, sacked, hurried, or hit. And finally, I have to blame the Bears Offensive line. They can't stop a butterfly from landing, much less a linebacker from rushing. They may as well not even show up and let the other team rush Cutler on every snap. The Bears have long relied on their run game and defense to win games, and in today's NFL, I don't think that's possible anymore. The speed and ferocity of players is unprecedented compared to the NFL from even 20 years ago. The Bears desperately need to go out and get some of the heaviest hitting O-Linemen in the league. Once Cutler shakes off the constant criticism of the fans of Chicago (not to mention the analysts and announcers who dislike anyone not named Manning or Brady) and has faith in his O-Line and his own abilities, settles down and throws from that front foot, he'll be deadly. He has a great arm, and he's young. I just hope the damage can be undone, because I honestly don't feel the loss today is the fault of the QB.